1. Show HN: YouTube banned adblockers so I built an extension to skip their ads
Total comment counts : 70
Summary
The article discusses a user-built extension that bypasses video ads on YouTube. The extension manipulates the video by muting the volume, setting the speed to 10x, and skipping the ad if there is a button. The author also criticizes the placement and timing of ads on Twitch. Users in the comments share their experiences with ads and express the desire for ad-free experiences. Some users suggest alternative platforms that do not rely on advertising.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the creation of a user script that allows the user to bypass adblock detection on videos. The script modifies video element properties, making it difficult for websites to patch or detect. However, there may be some overhead in page render time and using fixed CSS classes could cause issues if there are changes in the page code. The author suggests checking .innerText as a workaround in case future problems arise.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests adding a certain item to addons.mozilla.org so that it can be used on both Firefox and Firefox for Android.
2. HandBrake 1.7.0 – The open source video transcoder
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
Unfortunately, the given content does not provide any information or details about an article to summarize. It only appears to be a post on a forum related to the open source video transcoder HandBrake.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses how to calculate the average bitrate of a video file in order to specify a desired file size. It provides an example calculation and suggests that, if the audio bitrate is 256 kbps, the average video bitrate should be 3,712 kbps or less. The article also expresses gratitude towards the Handbrake team for their work on the software.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a previous issue with the HB pipeline, where despite it being 10-bit, many filters remained 8-bit, leading to a potentially degraded encoding experience. It mentions that most filters are now 10-bit capable. Additionally, it mentions that the released version had an inferior AAC codec due to licensing issues, although this may no longer be a problem as the codec has reportedly improved. The article concludes by asking if there are any major issues with the current version of the app.
3. Berlin’s indoor pools
Total comment counts : 21
Summary
Berlin is home to 60 indoor public swimming pools that attract six million visitors each year. Unlike functional pools found in other cities, Berlin’s indoor pools are known for their ornate and historically significant architecture. These pools became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a way to promote personal hygiene. Many of these pools survived the bombing of World War Two and have been restored to their original glory. For Berliners, swimming pools hold a special place in their hearts and are a cherished tradition. The article lists some of Berlin’s most stunning indoor pools, making them a must-visit for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, or those seeking a winter escape.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article mentions their frequent visits to government pools in Berlin. They express frustration with the high prices and irregular opening hours of these pools. The author also complains that some pools are closed for six months during the summer and that the outdoor pools are too cold in the evenings. They mention that on hot days, the pools are overcrowded and have witnessed fights breaking out. As a result, security measures have been implemented, including the requirement to show identification before entering the pools.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights the inadequate opening hours of pools, many of which are closed on Sundays and during the summer. It mentions that it is difficult to find a pool nearby if you work a 9-5 job. For example, Berlin has 60 indoor pools, but currently only 28 are open. The article also mentions that these pools are not suitable for families with small children, as the changing rooms are too small and there are no designated kids areas. Instead, these pools are more appropriate for taking aesthetically pleasing photos for social media or discussing architectural history.
4. Deep Learning Course
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The article provides information about François Fleuret’s deep-learning courses at the University of Geneva. It includes slides, recordings, and a virtual machine for the courses. The course covers an introduction to deep learning using the PyTorch framework. The materials were initially developed at the Idiap Research Institute and taught at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. The author also wrote and distributes “The Little Book of Deep Learning”. The virtual machine provided includes a Linux operating system and tools for using PyTorch from a web browser. It also explains how to access and use the virtual machine. The article concludes with a note about the licensing of the materials.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article recommends a resource called “Understanding Deep Learning” that is missing from a list. The author praises the book for its comprehensive material, attached notes for each chapter, advanced references, challenging exercises, and code notebooks. The resource is recommended for teaching deep learning. The article provides a link to the resource.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The given article is prompting readers to check out Stanford University’s YouTube channel, where they have uploaded their entire machine learning lecture series comprising 19 videos. The article also mentions that Stanford has posted a considerable number of computer science lectures on their channel, which are highly regarded.
5. Zero-k: A libre sci-fi RTS game, with an economy based on metal and energy
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The article is about a strategy game called Zero-K that offers players the opportunity to control giant robots, build armies, and engage in battles on a constantly changing terrain. The game features realistic physics and offers both single player and cooperative modes, as well as a survival mode against alien enemies. Zero-K has been designed for multiplayer gameplay and has undergone extensive testing. The developers of the game are passionate about real-time strategy games and have created the game with the features they always wanted to see.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article reminisces about the author’s experience playing Total Annihilation online in the late 90s. They recall playing the game on IRC and creating new units using a C-like language. The author mentions a clan called the ‘Swedish Yankspankers’ who developed an app called ‘TAreplay’ for recording and rewatching tournament games. The author finds it impressive how these players, who were hacking together apps for themselves, have contributed to the development of real-time strategy (RTS) engines and games that are still popular today. The article highlights this as an example of hacker culture.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s enjoyment of a particular game they used to play with their boyfriend. They found the game to be exciting and noted that it allowed for a lot of freedom. The author specifically appreciated the game’s wide range of commands and how the artificial intelligence of the units interacted with these commands. They give an example of how fast and agile units could avoid enemy projectiles when matched with slower units.
6. Infocom-zcode-terps: Historical source code for Infocom’s Z-machine interpreters
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
This article is about a collection of Infocom’s original Z-code interpreters for various home computers of the 1980s. The interpreters are provided as assembly source code for different platforms. The collection includes some compiled binaries as well. The article mentions that the repo contains internal documentation on how to create floppy disks for each platform. It also provides some interesting tidbits about the interpreters, such as the inclusion of assembler output files and the presence of a C implementation of DIP, the virtual machine used for Fooblitzky. The architecture of DIP is described as different from the Z-machine, with different opcodes and graphical sprite data included in high VM memory. The article also mentions the splitting of Z-code files for platforms with limited memory.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions that the dungeon source port, which eventually became the game Zork, has been open sourced for a long time. It explains that the code was originally translated from F77 Fortran to C~90. The article also includes links to the GitHub repository where the source code can be found.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article mentions Ryan C. Gordon’s Multizork / Mojozork project. The project is available on GitHub and there is a related Patreon post about it. The links provided in the article contain more information about the project.
7. Meta disbanded its Responsible AI team
Total comment counts : 38
Summary
Meta (formerly Facebook) is reportedly dismantling its Responsible AI (RAI) team and reallocating resources to generative artificial intelligence. According to an internal post cited by The Information, most RAI members will join the generative AI product team, while others will work on Meta’s AI infrastructure. The company has previously expressed a commitment to developing AI responsibly, but this reorganization suggests a shift in focus. Jon Carvill, representing Meta, stated that the company will continue to prioritize safe and responsible AI development and that team members will still support relevant cross-Meta efforts in this area. Earlier this year, the RAI team underwent a restructuring, including layoffs and reduced autonomy. These moves come as governments worldwide are striving to establish regulatory frameworks for AI development.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Meta is being considered the most ethical company as they are releasing their AI models to the public. Keeping AI models closed is seen as unethical as it limits people’s ability to define “alignment” for themselves and makes them dependent on big companies’ decisions and priorities.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author argues that having a separate “responsible AI team” is not an effective approach. They believe that all teams working on AI should be responsible and consider the ethical and legal dimensions of their work. Concentrating responsibility in one team creates a bottleneck, where they have to approve all AI work, or others can develop irresponsible AI without consequence. The author suggests that as AI becomes more important and mature, there should be a specific part of legal/compliance in big companies that focuses on AI ethics and trains everyone, rather than having a separate team. They compare this to how having an “innovation team” does not make a company truly innovative, and that innovation should be fostered everywhere within the company.
8. Why aren’t motherboards mostly USB-C by now? (2021)
Total comment counts : 48
Summary
The author of the article expresses frustration over the lack of USB-C ports on new desktop PCs and motherboards. They suggest that it would make more sense for all USB ports to be USB-C and use adapters for legacy components. The article also discusses the presence of legacy USB-A ports on modern PCs and questions why they still exist. The author mentions their own experiences with outdated technology and expresses confusion as to why USB-C has not been more widely distributed. They also highlight the benefits of USB-C, such as its reversible design, and discuss the potential cost and compatibility issues associated with transitioning to USB-C-only devices.
Top 1 Comment Summary
According to the author’s experience, USB C connectors are more fragile compared to USB A connectors. They find that when plugging in a USB C, it doesn’t have a solid fit and feels vague. The author also mentions that USB C’s smaller design may be suitable for mobile devices but not for desktops and their peripherals.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article argues against calling USB A “legacy” or a “relic” because many people still own devices that use USB A. The author challenges the idea that USB C is a suitable replacement, pointing out that finding a wired keyboard or mouse with a USB C plug is not easy. Instead of choosing between the two, the author suggests that computers should have both USB A and USB C ports to accommodate various devices. The author proposes that in the future, when USB C becomes more prevalent, a complete shift to USB C can be considered.
9. Comparing humans, GPT-4, and GPT-4V on abstraction and reasoning tasks
Total comment counts : 18
Summary
The article states that arXivLabs is a framework that enables collaboration to develop and share new features for the arXiv website. Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs uphold the values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is dedicated to these values and only collaborates with partners who share the same values. The article also mentions that there is an opportunity for individuals to propose projects that will benefit the arXiv community. Additionally, it provides information about receiving status notifications via email or Slack.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a study comparing the performance of a language model, GPT-4, to that of an average adult human without cognitive impairment. The study used participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk, but some were excluded due to not following instructions. The criteria for selecting participants were then made more strict. The study did not provide standard deviations and the participants were not a random sample of adult humans. The author suggests that it would have been more interesting if the study had sampled an age range of humans to compare with GPT-4’s performance.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article argues that there are various ways to achieve super-human intelligence. These include accomplishing results faster, achieving results at a lower cost, having knowledge across multiple fields, and obtaining better results in a specific area. The author also expresses an interest in evaluating human-produced work versus machine-produced work in occupations recognized by the US Department of Labor, with a focus on quality evaluations. The article suggests that conducting such evaluations on a large scale could provide useful insights.
10. Kyutai AI research lab with a $330M budget that will make everything open source
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
French billionaire and Iliad CEO Xavier Niel has provided more information about his AI research lab, Kyutai, which will focus on artificial general intelligence. The lab, which is privately funded and nonprofit, will collaborate with PhD students, postdocs, and researchers on research papers and open-source projects. Niel announced at the ai-PULSE conference that funding for the lab has reached close to €300 million ($327 million), with contributions from French billionaire Rodolphe Saadé and other donors. Kyutai has also acquired a thousand Nvidia H100 GPUs from Scaleway for compute power. The lab has started hiring its core scientific team and has enlisted AI researchers Yejin Choi, Yann LeCun, and Bernhard Schölkopf as scientific advisors. Kyutai plans to release open-source models, training source code, and data to promote open science and advance research. The lab hopes to provide a scientific purpose and understanding behind its results. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the lab’s commitment to open-source and emphasized the importance of regulation to ensure safe AI services for citizens, other economic players, and democracy.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses a preference for commercial open source projects instead of ones focused solely on research purposes.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights that $330 million, although a significant amount, may not be sufficient to bring open source technology closer to the capabilities of GPT-3.5. The comparison is made to 33 training runs of a large LLM (language model), indicating that the investment may not be enough to match the advancements of GPT-3.5.